Mumbai shame: Callous corporator refused to help dying boy

Family of Dhaval Lodaya, who died in the Titwala train derailment, claims corporator Mayur Patil refused to take the bleeding teen to hospital in his car; 500 of the boy’s friends and relatives protested at Ghatkopar yesterday

Hundreds gathered outside Ghatkopar station in the east demanding justice for Dhaval Lodaya, who died when the Kasara-CST local train derailed near Titwala on March 20.

More than 500 people protested at Ghatkopar and CST stations yesterday. Dhaval’s family also submitted a letter to Central Railway, blaming the authorities and Mayur Patil for the death. Pic/Sayed Sameer Abedi

mid-day had reported on Monday about the ‘Justice for Dhaval’ campaign, in which relatives and friends of the 18-year-old are demanding that authorities take corrective action so that no one else dies due to lack of medical assistance in railway accidents.

More than 500 people protested at Ghatkopar and CST stations yesterday. Pic/Sayed Sameer Abedi

The family has also claimed that local corporator Mayur Patil was equally responsible for the death, as he allegedly denied help to Dhaval’s friends, who were trying to take the bleeding boy to hospital. More than 500 students, along with Dhaval’s family, participated.

Around 100 Railway Protection Force, city police, Government Railway Police and traffic policemen were present for the bandobast. Supporters held placards demanding justice for the boy. They then moved to CST to meet the divisional railway manager and submitted a letter.

Mayur Patil is an independent corporator at Ward No 7 (Jaytwan Nagar) near Ambivli station, and supports the NCP

In the letter, the family has alleged that had the railway police forces helped Dhaval instead of barricading the area, their son would have been alive. The letter blames negligence and incompetence of the disaster management system of Indian Railway.

mid-day's report

'Corporator copped out'The Facebook page of ‘Justice for Dhaval’ read: “Nagarsevak of the vicinity reached the spot within 20 minutes of the incident.

The kids asked help from him to take Dhaval to the nearby hospital in his car as he was seriously injured, on which he replied he doesn’t have a personal car.

He along with his men didn’t bother to arrange for any help or call up ambulance to take Dhaval to the nearby hospital. He left the spot within 10 minutes.”

Dhaval’s friend Jay Lodaria said the corporator had denied having a four-wheeler. “One of his men offered a bike, but it was not possible to take Dhaval on a bike to hospital.”

The (CRS) Commissioner for Railway Safety will be conducting an inquiry into the incident. He will then call the people present during the incident, and family members, on March 27.

The other sideMayur Patil, independent corporator of ward no 7 (Jaytwan Nagar) near Ambivli station, told this reporter that the boy had already died when he was approached. Patil said he reached the spot within two minutes in a car and even claimed he transported eight victims to Kalyan’s Rukminibai Hospital.

“Dhaval had already died; his face was covered with a cloth and it wasn’t possible for me to take the vehicle where he was lying,” said the corporator, who supports the NCP. He added, “Three young boys approached me and said that their friend is injured and was lying on railway tracks.

But, the boy was lying far from the four-wheeler and the vehicle couldn’t reach him, as the area is surrounded with wild bushes and plant. I offered them a bike but then it was of no help.

We saw that the boy’s face was covered with a piece of cloth, and I thought that he was dead. Police was already there and we didn’t want to disturb the panchnama if he was dead. So, we left after helping the injured.”

Voices

Jigar Lodaya, Dhaval’s cousinI finished my exam at college and immediately rushed here to join the protest. We are taking signatures from people, so that it can be submitted to the railway authorities with the charter of demands for improvement.

Khush-Mita Momaya, a family friendMy child travels by train, too. I’ve come to support the cause so that no other Dhaval becomes a victim of railway negligence.

Sameer Sevak, Dhaval’s coaching class teacherThere is negligence on the railways’ part and they should improve the safety measures.

The Facebook page of 'Justice for Dhaval' reads: “Nagarsevak of the vicinity reached the spot within 20 minutes of the incident. The kids asked help from him to take Dhaval to the nearby hospital in his car as he was seriously injured, on which he replied he doesn’t have a personal car. He along with his men didn’t bother to arrange for any help or call up ambulance to take Dhaval to the nearby hospital. He left the spot within 10 minutes.”